For Her

Wednesday, 26 April 2017

Sticky Notes Holder, Twine/Leaf Window, Female

I haven't specifically made something to play along with a challenge since October of last year... and for those of you that know my 'story' you can probably guess why. But I just couldn't help but be inspired when I saw the latest Poppystamps Challenge.

I've taken the inspiration quite literally and made a gift...
It's much simpler than it looks and I've included steps that can be missed out for an even easier version.

Believe it or not, this project started off as the cardboard backing from one of those A5 brown envelopes. You know the kind I mean, don't you? They have a reinforced back panel and the words PLEASE DO NOT BEND printed in red on the front. Well, that's what they look like in the UK anyway...

I hadn't initially planned on repurposing this cardboard back panel but as it was the perfect length it seemed ludicrous not to. Just one chop off the end to adjust the width (using a guillotine) and two score lines later and my job was already a third of the way to completion as now I only had to decorate it, increase the depth of the panels a little and think about a fastener of some kind.

Decorating was easy.

A good coat of white Acrylic Paint all over and then (once dry) simply tear up some thin Mulberry Paper and paste it on using a mix of PVA and water.

(I started by covering the edges and the cracks I made when I made the score lines first. This took two coats of paper - as did most of it).

My front decorative panel has also been made from repurposed materials.

You may not see it in the photo's, but this Leaf Window panel has a sheen to it that comes courtesy of some MFT packaging. I simply used my Die-Namics Stitched Square STAX to cut out the largest square, then centred the Leaf Window die and cut again.

After weaving in the green Hemp Twine (a gorgeous colour but too thick, so I had to untwist a length and then carefully thread it through) I mounted this front panel onto the largest of the three

Die-namics Stitched Square Frames.

Then I added on the stamped and heat embossed acetate layer, followed by another Die-namics Stitched Square Frame - effectively creating an acetate 'sandwich' that then had an inked up piece of card (one of the squares left over from cutting out the frame) added as its back layer.

Why so many frames and layers?

Just to give the illusion of more depth, but you can easily miss that part out if you want a simpler version.

As for the flowers?

They were added right at the end of this project so I'll give details about those later...

You'll see from the photo's that the inside of this project carries on with me using the

Die-namics Stitched Square STAX.

Layering up three of these top and bottom created the perfect depth that I needed,

but before I glued these squares into place I added two thin lengths of black ribbon, both of which were wrapped around a 1cm thick length of scrap card.

These small card 'tabs' were then glued into place... and while they were drying I used the time to add two holes (I used a pokey tool) to one of my layered up Stitched Squares.

I didn't have any black elasticated cord that was thick enough so I braided three strands together (as you do). Then I threaded it through the holes and put the small pencil into place before tying off at the back. This way the elastic loop that's been created will be the perfect size.

(You can also skip this step if you like by using 100mm Sticky Notes instead. I used 75mm Sticky Notes for this project).

Once the inner Stitched Squares were glued to the inside I simply had to add the Sticky Notes and then finish off my 'fastener' by adding a wooden bead and tying/gluing a double knot into place.

(Again, this is another step that can easily be omitted. I just wanted to try out a 'fastener' idea that I had in mind, but this design works just fine without).

Then I added the flowers, using a small amount of Crackle Accents at the centre of each to mirror the shine of the acetate.

I have to say that I love this Hemp Twine weaved Leaf Window so much that I'm going to be using it again... and maybe again... and then again, too!

CAS with added dimension and/or texture is where my heart lies if I'm doing CAS work of any kind.

36 comments:

What a truly, fabulous little gift Donna sweet friend! LOVE it! And, thank you for the detailed step-by-step instructions! A great upcycling project that has turned into something that anyone would be more than happy to receive! Have a good day my friend! Luv & Hugs. Hazel xxMy Card Attic

Love this fabulous gift Donna, gorgeous outside and inside, impressed with your window and twine detail, those pretty flowers and bold sentiment just finish of perfectly. love the inside too.Thank you for joining us over on Poppystamps challenge blog..Hugs Pam xx

Awww... Big thanks to you, Di.It really is very easy to make... plus it gave me an excuse to use my long neglected stash of thin mulberry paper that I bought a few years ago and have never used.Next door's builders driving me insane here. It's going to be a long 2-3 months!

WOW what a fabulous project ... absolutely beautiful! Thanks so much for joining us at The Sisterhood’s ‘The Letter B’ challenge and please come back again soon! Darleneone of the 'Sistahs'The Sisterhood of CraftersDAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS Please come for a visit!

Awww... you are so kind, Pam. 🙂This was a 'pain free' make for me and I so enjoyed the process. It made such a change from tearing my hair out and fussing over choosing the exact right bits and pieces to put together. Thanks again. xxx

What a wonderful project! Love all the detail! Thanks so much for sharing with us in the Mix It Up Challenge Blog's "Just For Fun" challenge! Will be looking forward to seeing you again when our regular challenge line-up begins on May 1st!Hugs,Leslie, MIUCB DTLove To Scrap 2

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About Me

This is me... Gluing my life back together one craft make at a time. You see, some of us are blessed with happy lives... and some of us are not. I have three blogs - my craft blog, a mini blog about losing my daughter to Autism/Mental Health issues and one that's used solely as a social media link to my craft stall. If you're reading this profile and want to know more, read my 'About Me' section (only available on my craft blog) or visit my mini blog - 'A Child Like No Other'.
One thing I've learned... Pain IS pain. You can't quantify it or put it on a scale rating and compare it to other people.
So be kind to yourself, and be kind to other people.
You never know what life has in store...